In the vast, bustling marketplace of Etsy, standing out can feel like a daunting challenge. With millions of products competing for attention, how can you make sure your creations get noticed by the right customers? The answer lies in a thoughtful, gradual approach to Etsy SEO—one that emphasizes quality over quantity.
Instead of rushing to optimize every listing at once, the key to long-term success on Etsy is making steady, strategic improvements. By focusing on gradual changes, you can work with Etsy’s algorithm, not against it, ensuring your shop grows steadily without sudden drops in visibility.
The 60 listings monthly / 15 listings weekly optimization rate
One of the most effective strategies for optimizing your Etsy shop is to focus on a 60 listings monthly or 15 listings weekly optimization rate. This rate is in line with the Etsy algorithm and allows for consistent, gradual improvements without overwhelming the algorithm. By focusing on a specific number of listings each week or month, you can make thoughtful, targeted changes that enhance your shop's overall performance.
This strategy is not just about the number of listings - it’s about prioritizing the right listings. Rather than attempting to optimize every single listing in your shop, which can be time-consuming and less effective, you should focus on the top-performing listings meaning the top 100 to 200 in your shop. These listings are already showing potential, and with the right tweaks, they can climb even higher in search results, driving more traffic and sales to your shop.
This is one of the features that are included in our Etsy SEO Success Program
What is the Pareto Principle? 80/20 rule
The Pareto Principle states that 20% of your products are bringing 80% of your revenue
Your shop is not hurt by having listings that haven’t converted yet. In most Etsy shops, the bulk of sales come from a small percentage of listings. That said if your listing hasn’t generated sales, over time it will rank lower and lower in search results. Therefore, if your listing renews once or twice without selling, you might want to look at making a change for instance in photos, keywords, prices etc.
You might have a listing that has lots of visits but no conversions. This might indicate there’s something that needs to be revised. Or it might mean customers are landing on that listing but buying something else in your shop. If you looking how to increase your store's conversion rate make sure to check one of ours article about How To Maximize Your Etsy Shop Conversions
Why focus on the top 100-200 listings in your store?
Listings within the top 100 to 200 of your shop are likely to have higher quality scores. These are the products that are already resonating with your audience, whether through strong keywords, appealing images, or competitive pricing. By optimizing these listings, you can capitalize on their existing momentum and increase their chances of ranking even higher.
On the other hand, listings below the top 200 usually have lower quality scores, which can be due to several factors. For instance, their thumbnails might not be as attractive, leading to lower click-through rates (CTR). The algorithm, in turn, pushes these listings further back, making it harder for them to gain visibility. While it's possible to optimize these underperforming listings, it often requires more effort with less guaranteed return. That’s why the focus tends to be on top/mid listings that have the potential to move up.
Try, try, try different strategies
As you optimize your listings weekly, track the shop's statistics and specific search terms where your listings appear, especially after making significant changes to titles, tags, prices, categories, delivery, or processing times. We advise you to create a report or table to easily document the listings you modified, allowing you to monitor trends effectively. Check these changes after 30 days to give the algorithm time to index and adjust to the new settings. This approach also applies to Etsy Ads.
In a nutshell
Succeeding on Etsy requires a strategic, measured approach to SEO that focuses on consistent, gradual improvements. By prioritizing the optimization of your top-performing listings and adhering to a manageable rate of 60 listings monthly or 15 listings weekly, you align with Etsy’s algorithm, enhancing your shop’s visibility without overwhelming the system. This thoughtful method allows you to capitalize on the momentum of your best listings, driving more traffic and sales while ensuring steady growth over time. Remember, Etsy success is not about optimizing everything at once but about making smart, targeted changes that yield the greatest impact. By staying patient and focused, you can effectively navigate the competitive Etsy marketplace and achieve long-term success
